Old School + new Boulder Guidebook
Old School Boulder
Some places we've loved ever since moving here in 2000, and enjoyed by those before us.
Excellent Nepalese, run by Pemba Sherpa, experienced mountaineer, now an entrepreneur who also runs “Sherpa Chai” which you can find at grocery stores.
68 locals recommend
Sherpa Restaurant
825 Walnut StExcellent Nepalese, run by Pemba Sherpa, experienced mountaineer, now an entrepreneur who also runs “Sherpa Chai” which you can find at grocery stores.
The original hippy brew pub. Great beers, great vibes, and.. cash or check only. Old school!
154 locals recommend
Mountain Sun Pub & Brewery
1535 Pearl StThe original hippy brew pub. Great beers, great vibes, and.. cash or check only. Old school!
The original mountaineering store in Boulder, part museum with memorabilia. Worth a visit if heading to S Boulder.
17 locals recommend
Neptune Mountaineering
633 S BroadwayThe original mountaineering store in Boulder, part museum with memorabilia. Worth a visit if heading to S Boulder.
This place is magical, and the drive up and down is quite insane to any newcomers. You won’t regret the visit for dinner.
42 locals recommend
Gold Hill Inn
401 Main StThis place is magical, and the drive up and down is quite insane to any newcomers. You won’t regret the visit for dinner.
Updated and tasty, makes the “old school” list as the original bar merits it, and it used to be the last biz on that side of the street, with unbeatable rooftop views before the St Julien hotel went up.
57 locals recommend
The West End Tavern
926 Pearl StreetUpdated and tasty, makes the “old school” list as the original bar merits it, and it used to be the last biz on that side of the street, with unbeatable rooftop views before the St Julien hotel went up.
Worth a peek in this old historic hotel. Look for the water fountain that used to pipe water straight from a glacier.
32 locals recommend
Hotel Boulderado
2115 13th StWorth a peek in this old historic hotel. Look for the water fountain that used to pipe water straight from a glacier.
Boulder Book Store
1107 Pearl StJust get lost in here…(and also, they sell lots of chocolate!)
Lucile's
2124 14th StA long loved place for a New Orleans style, Cajun brunch.
An institution for all your cooking and kitchen needs. Great for gifts.
33 locals recommend
Peppercorn Gourmet Goods
1235 Pearl StAn institution for all your cooking and kitchen needs. Great for gifts.
Food scene
Fantastic middle eastern from a beloved owner chef of the community, Dan Asher.
13 locals recommend
prAna Boulder
1147 Pearl StFantastic middle eastern from a beloved owner chef of the community, Dan Asher.
They make the food hall approach downright classy, with a spectacular rooftop deck as well.
49 locals recommend
Rosetta Hall
1109 Walnut StreetThey make the food hall approach downright classy, with a spectacular rooftop deck as well.
I could have marked this as “sightseeing”, but we sometimes find it’s worth the beautiful drive to have their top notch pizza. The sourdough for each pie is on a 3 day cycle so they aren’t fooling around. It made our daughter a pizza snob.
123 locals recommend
CROSSCUT PIZZERIA & TAPHOUSE
4 E 1st StI could have marked this as “sightseeing”, but we sometimes find it’s worth the beautiful drive to have their top notch pizza. The sourdough for each pie is on a 3 day cycle so they aren’t fooling around. It made our daughter a pizza snob.
While not along the Pearl St Mall where most popular places are, this is some of the best sushi in Boulder. Run by a Japanese couple who’ve made their mark.
AOI Sushi and Izakaya
3303 30th StWhile not along the Pearl St Mall where most popular places are, this is some of the best sushi in Boulder. Run by a Japanese couple who’ve made their mark.
Get gifts for someone and by doing so an excuse to spoil yourself while there.
31 locals recommend
Piece Love and Chocolate, LLC
805 Pearl StGet gifts for someone and by doing so an excuse to spoil yourself while there.
If you feel like doing some take-n-bake pizza, this is a long time favorite. We often walk to and fro carrying a big pie up the hill.
9 locals recommend
Nick-N-Willy's Pizza
801 Pearl StIf you feel like doing some take-n-bake pizza, this is a long time favorite. We often walk to and fro carrying a big pie up the hill.
Like a massage, we always end a visit saying “we should do this more often” and regret that we don’t! Wed evenings and Saturdays.
169 locals recommend
Boulder Farmers Market
13th StreetLike a massage, we always end a visit saying “we should do this more often” and regret that we don’t! Wed evenings and Saturdays.
For great Taiwanese fast and casual dishes, this place was started by a restaurant owner to give his Taiwanese mom something to do when she moved to Boulder. She’s still at it and has expanded to Denver as well!
50 locals recommend
Zoe Ma Ma
2010 10th StFor great Taiwanese fast and casual dishes, this place was started by a restaurant owner to give his Taiwanese mom something to do when she moved to Boulder. She’s still at it and has expanded to Denver as well!
Great New Mexican weekend brunch and daily dinners away from Pearl Street, and conveniently next door to a local Whole Foods.
36 locals recommend
Santo
1265 Alpine Ave.Great New Mexican weekend brunch and daily dinners away from Pearl Street, and conveniently next door to a local Whole Foods.
Very popular breakfast spot, put your name in, do some window shopping while you wait. Pro tip: Order a "flight of pancakes", appetizer style, to enjoy as a group.
862 locals recommend
Snooze, an A.M. Eatery
6315 W 104th AveVery popular breakfast spot, put your name in, do some window shopping while you wait. Pro tip: Order a "flight of pancakes", appetizer style, to enjoy as a group.
Our favorite Mexican spot on Pearl Street (though spoiled for choice - you can't go wrong.)
53 locals recommend
Centro Mexican Kitchen
950 Pearl StOur favorite Mexican spot on Pearl Street (though spoiled for choice - you can't go wrong.)
"Frasca" is the nationally-recognized foodie restaurant, but personally, we love Oak for special occasions.
139 locals recommend
Oak
1400 Pearl St"Frasca" is the nationally-recognized foodie restaurant, but personally, we love Oak for special occasions.
Get the check before dessert so you can go here! There are two of these spots on Pearl, well worth it for a scoop or two.
15 locals recommend
Gelato Boy
1433 Pearl StGet the check before dessert so you can go here! There are two of these spots on Pearl, well worth it for a scoop or two.
Sightseeing
Easy hike up a valley that opens up to broad views. Look for the up or down via “Dakota Ridge” to enjoy a nice loop.
24 locals recommend
Sanitas Valley Trail
Sanitas Valley TrailEasy hike up a valley that opens up to broad views. Look for the up or down via “Dakota Ridge” to enjoy a nice loop.
Mount Sanitas Trail
Mount Sanitas TrailA must do if you’ve got the fitness!
If you get to Nederland and have little kiddos (or those who never grew up) you gotta check this out. Walk off some of that pizza from Crosscut.
104 locals recommend
Carousel of Happiness
20 Lakeview DrIf you get to Nederland and have little kiddos (or those who never grew up) you gotta check this out. Walk off some of that pizza from Crosscut.
While we love nothing more than hiking right out our front door, popping to this mellow but beautiful and largely shaded hike is worth a short drive.
12 locals recommend
Anne U. White trail
Anne U. White TrailWhile we love nothing more than hiking right out our front door, popping to this mellow but beautiful and largely shaded hike is worth a short drive.
We had our US wedding at the amphitheater up here. Treat yourself to a scenic drive to the top, park the car and enjoy some of the surrounding trails for a bonus. Bring a packed lunch - even better!
71 locals recommend
Flagstaff Mountain
We had our US wedding at the amphitheater up here. Treat yourself to a scenic drive to the top, park the car and enjoy some of the surrounding trails for a bonus. Bring a packed lunch - even better!
Given our hot summers, treat yourself on a stroll (why drive?) to Boulder Creek. (And remember this spot to follow the Boulder Creek Path up and west into the canyon by bike!)
69 locals recommend
Eben G. Fine Park
101 Arapahoe AveGiven our hot summers, treat yourself on a stroll (why drive?) to Boulder Creek. (And remember this spot to follow the Boulder Creek Path up and west into the canyon by bike!)
The original bike shop in old town Boulder. Phone in advance to rent some bikes, all the better if you take them up the path alongside Boulder Creek.
37 locals recommend
University Bicycles
839 Pearl StThe original bike shop in old town Boulder. Phone in advance to rent some bikes, all the better if you take them up the path alongside Boulder Creek.